USA > New Hampshire > Belknap County > Biographical review : containing life sketches of leading citizens of Stafford and Belknap countries, New Hampshire > Part 57
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born, five of whom attained maturity ; namely, Samuel, Charles D., Israel II., Ira W., and William H. Of these sons, only Israel H. and Ira W. are living.
The boyhood of Israel H. Locke, until he was seventeen years of age, was largely spent in farm work. Since then he has had a varied experience in business, resulting, however, in his acquirement of a fair share of the world's goods. On leaving the parental roof, he went first to Roxbury, Mass. Later, following the advice of Horace Greeley, he went West. There he was engaged in several enterprises, at one time being manager of a large hotel in Chicago. He afterward became interested in stock-raising, and for eleven years handled fast horses, several of which made good records while under his management. In 1883 Mr. Locke bought his present farm of two hundred acres. On this property he has since been profitably engaged in general husbandry, being successful in every branch.
Mr. Locke was married June 28, 1874, to Miss Annie McCharles, of Middle River. Two children were born of the union, namely : Eben, who died at the age of twenty years and eight months; and Annie Locke. Mrs. Locke passed away April 25, 1883. In poli- tics Mr. Locke is an earnest adherent of the Republican party, sustaining the principles of that organization by voice and vote.
OSEA FRANCIS HAWKINS, one of Meredith's successful farmers, was born in this town, November 25, 1833, son of Francis and Polly (Sturtevant) Hawkins. His grandfather, John Hawkins, was born in Barnstead, presumably on April 7, 1744, and resided for many years in Barnstead, N. II. John married Lydia Bunker, who was born May 1, 1745, and with her
reared eleven children; namely, Stephen, Clement, Elijah, Lovey, Hannah, Ebenezer, Sally, Comfort, John, William, and Francis. He died December 30, 1820; and his wife died in November, 1817.
Francis Hawkins, born in Barnstead, Janu- ary 8, 1786, became widely known as a framer of buildings ; and he did a great deal of custom sawing in a saw-mill erected by himself. When a young man he converted a tract of wild land into the farm now owned by his son. He was a successful business man and farmer. Possessing an unusually strong constitution, he framed and superintended the raising of a large barn in New Hampton when he was eighty years old. He died December 22, 1879. In politics he was a Democrat. His wife, Polly, whom he married in April, 1809, was a daughter of Hosea Sturtevant, of Moul- tonboro, N.H. Hosea Sturtevant, born Feb- ruary 14, 1762, was one of the eight children of his parents' family, which moved from Hali- fax, Mass., to Squam Neck, now Centre Harbor Neck, when there was but a saw and grist mill upon the site of Meredith Village. Hosea Sturtevant served as a soldier in the Revolutionary War, during which he was for some time a prisoner in New York. After his discharge from the service he returned to New Hampshire, and engaged in clearing land for agricultural purposes. By his energy and perseverance he accumulated considerable property. He died April 20, 1850, aged eighty-eight years, two months, and six days. In early life he united with the Free Baptist church, but later he became a Methodist; and preachers were always welcome at his home. Mrs. Francis Hawkins became the mother of eight children, five of whom grew to maturity. These were: Mahala R., Laura R., John S., Sarah S., and Hosea F. Mahala R. married Salmon Farrar; and John S. married Eliza-
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beth Lane, and died in Salem, Ore. The parents were members of the Free Baptist church.
Hosea Francis Hawkins was educated in the public schools of Meredith and at the New Hampton Institute. He has always resided at the homestead. The estate contains about one hundred and thirty acres of land, of which thirty-five acres are under cultivation. He prys especial attention to the raising of small fruits, particularly strawberries; and he acts as local agent for Lamprey & Dickey, marble workers of Laconia, N.H.
On January 30, 1855, Mr. Hawkins mar- ried for his first wife Sarah A. B. Mudgett, daughter of William Mudgett, of Bristol, N.H. Mr. Mudgett, born November 29, 1786, was a prosperous farmer of Bristol, and acted as a Deacon of the Free Baptist church for many years. On March 9, 1815, he mar- ried Eunice Huckins, and had a family of seven children; namely, Mary M. S., Hannah H., John P., Calvin H., Orinda M., Laura L., and Sarah A. B. The first Mrs. Hawkins died September 13, 1874, having been the mother of five children. These were: Laura Ella, now the wife of Fred Rollins, of East Concord, N.H .; Arthur Stanley, who died December 16, 1880; Frank Alliston, now of Lisbon, N. H. ; Amy Eunice, who died at the age of sixteen years; and Herman Curtis. Mr. Hawkins's second marriage was contracted with Mary Evinia Homan, daughter of the Rev. Charles Homan, a Methodist preacher. His children by this union were: Charles H., a resident of Boston ; and Lyman Smiley, who died October 27, 1879. The second wite died September 6, 1890; and on August 22, 1891, Mr. Hawkins was again married to Elvira J. Bemis, daughter of Isaac Bemis, of Littleton, N.H.
In politics Mr. Hawkins is a Republican.
He is connected with Winnepesaukee Grange, Patrons of Husbandry. On uniting with the Free Baptist church in 1856, he was immedi- ately chosen clerk and superintendent of the Sunday-school. The latter position he ably filled for several years. He is now acting as Deacon and clerk of the church and society.
EORGE WASHINGTON BURN-
HAM, one of the oldest farmers of Durham, living on a farm that has been his home since he was four years old, was born in this town, May 4, 1822, a son of Joseph and Lydia (Hodgson) Burnham. The Burnham family are of English origin. John Burnham, the father of Joseph, was born on this farm about the year 1750. Joseph, on September 14, 1789, was also born there. Lydia (Hodgson) Burnham, his wife, was a native of Madbury, born in 1788. Their chil- dren were: Lavinia, born April 9, 1816; John L. (deceased), born February 6, 1819, who served in the Union army during the Rebellion; George W., the subject of this sketch; and Sarah A., whose birth occurred November 20, 1830. . Both daughters attend the Congregational church. For his services as a soldier in the War of 1812 the father took land scrip, which he sold to Dr. Pray, of Dover. He died December 4, 1867, seventy- . eight years of age, after a life profitably spent in farming. His wife died in 1866, and both are resting in the family cemetery.
George Washington Burnham, the only sur- viving son of his parents, came to this farm with the family when he was four years old. Since then he has known no other home. He here owns about eighty-five acres of land. Be- sides conducting the farm, he has worked at. the trade of carpenter as the opportunity offered. He was educated in the common
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schools. In political views he has always been a Republican. The first man drafted in this town for the Civil War, he obtained a sub- stitute in the person of a man who had seen service, by a paying a bounty of one hundred and fifty dollars in addition to two hundred dollars paid by the government.
EORGE P. DEMERITT, a farmer of Durham, Strafford County, N. H., was born in Durham village, Sep- tember 15, 1842, son of William and Frances (Wilson) Demeritt. His parents had five other children; namely, Wilson, Morton, Fanny E., David A., and Frances L., all of whom have passed away. William Demeritt followed farming. He was also for a good many years a Baptist preacher, and took much interest in educational matters, the building of the old Durham Academy having been largely through his influence. He died in 1842, at fifty-four years of age. Frances Wilson Demeritt was the daughter of Elder Wilson, of Barnstead, N. H. She died May 3, 1888.
Owing to the death of his father George P. Demeritt took charge of the home farm when quite young. He received a good district school education. Soon after the breaking out of the Civil War he enlisted, on August 22, 1861, in Company K of the Eleventh New Hampshire Regiment, and was mustered in as a private at Concord for three years. The first engagement in which he participated was the battle of Fredericksburg. Later he was at Vicksburg, Jackson, Knoxville, the battle of the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, and Cold Har- bor, also at the siege of Petersburg. On July 25, 1863, he received a commission as Lieu- tenant. The last year and a half of the war he served with General Robert B. Potter at
Second Division Headquarters, Ninth Army Corps.
After his honorable discharge, June 5, 1865, at Concord, he came home, remaining until the fall of that year, when he went to Dover ; and in the ensuing spring he went West, where he stayed a short time. Returning to Dover, he was employed as clerk in a grocery for five years; and then he went into the gro- cery business for himself, continuing in trade for six years. Directly following that time, he was for six years Tax Collector for the city of Dover, then County Commissioner four years, then again Tax Collector. He has since engaged in farming, being the owner of a place of one hundred acres. `He is often employed to settle estates.
In political views and affiliation Mr. De- meritt is a Republican. For thirty years he has been a member of Strafford Masonic Blue Lodge. He also belongs to Belknap Chapter, R. A. M., and St. Paul's Commandery, K. T.
Mr. Demeritt has been twice married, first to Miss Augusta Hersey, second to Miss Frances E. Jasper, by whom he had two chil- dren - Eugene A. and Edith A.
LIAS C. VARNEY, a well-to-do and progressive agriculturist of Dover, was born in Rochester, N. H., May 28, 1835, a son of George W. Varney. His grandfather, Elias Varney, was also a native of this county. George W. Varney, who was born and reared in the town of Barrington, N. H., subsequently settled on a farm in the neighboring town of Rochester, and was there engaged in agricultural pursuits until his death in 1884. By the first of his two marriages he was united with Sarah A. Hanson, a native of Rochester. She bore him two children, namely: John H., whose death occurred in
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1890 in California; and Elias C., the subject of this sketch. His second wife, whose maiden name was Marion Hodgon, had seven children - Daniel W., Sarah, Christiana, Leonora, Susan, Mary A., and Emma.
Elias C. Varney received a common-school education. When a lad of ten years, he began working for the neighboring farmers during the spring and summer sesasons for two dollars a month. He stayed at home winters, assisting in the chores about the place, and attending the district school. As he grew in years and strength, his wages were increased, and his work took him farther from home. He spent one season in Orono, Me. The year after at- taining his majority, having by prudence and thrift saved a large part of his earnings, Mr. Varney bought a farm in Somersworth, this county, which he managed successfully for five years. Going then to Roxbury, Mass., he was employed as a teamster for two years. After this he spent two years on his farm in Somers- worth, and then returned to Massachusetts, where he was employed as a teamster for an- other two years. He now purchased horses and other equipments, and engaged in teaming in Brighton for fifteen years, having a contract with the city of Boston. In 1878 be pur- chased the farm where he now lives, and at once moved his family here, though he contin- ued his work in Boston until ISS4. Since that time Mr. Varney has given his entire time to the care of his home interests, and has been very successful. Besides his home farm in Dover, which contains one hundred acres, he owns a farm of one hundred and forty acres in Somersworth; a farm of two hundred acres in Ossipee; three houses of five tenements each, taxed for over eight thousand dollars, in the village of Somersworth ; a house in Roch- ester valued at one thousand dollars; and a house in Beverly valued at three thousand dol-
lars. He pays especial attention to his dairy, keeping a fine lot of cows, and raises the cereals and vegetables common to this section of New England.
In January, 1857, Mr. Varney married Miss Sarah F. Moody, of Tamworth, N. H., a daughter of Atcherson and Dolly (Nickerson) Moody. They have had six children, namely : George W., who lives in Rochester; Lizzie M. ; John W. ; Frank; Elias; and Ellen, who died in infancy. In politics Mr. Varney is a firm supporter of the principles of the Dem- ocratic party. In the campaign of 1896 he was the Democratic candidate for the office of County Commissioner. A man of resolute character, industrious and energetic, he is much respected in the city.
AMES RYAN, JR., Postmaster of Dover, Strafford County, N. H., and a rising young lawyer, was born and bred in this city, the date of his birth being April 13, 1860. His father, James Ryan, Sr., was born in Kilkenny, County Kilkenny, Ire- land, where he lived until twelve years old, when he came with his parents to this country. Locating in Dover, he has since resided here, being now a hale and hearty man of threescore and ten years. His wife, whose maiden name was Mary Phelan, was also born in Kilkenny, Ireland. She came to America with her par- ents when an infant, and she is still a resi- dent of Dover.
James Ryan, Jr., acquired his general cdu- cation in the public schools of Dover and at the Berwick Academy, where he made excel- lent progress in his studies. Having decided to fit himself for a professional career, he ap- plied himself diligently to his books, and in course of time began. reading law in the office of John Kivel, of this place. In 1890 he was
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admitted to the New Hampshire bar, and, opening an office in Dover, at once entered upon his professional duties. He met with signal success from the start, and has built up practice not surpassed by that of any other lawyer of his age in the same length of time. In his political views Mr. Ryan is an uncom- promising Democrat, active and influential in his party. On April 30, 1894, he was ap- pointed Postmaster of Dover, in which posi- tion he has given general satisfaction. He is a member of the Catholic church.
Mr. Ryan was united in marriage Septem- ber 1, 1891, with Miss Jennie M. Goodwin, a native of Dover, and a daughter of Edward and Catherine (Printy) Goodwin. Mr. and Mrs. Ryan are the parents of three children - Mary, Daniel, and James.
LBERT GARLAND, D. D. S., who has a large dental practice in Farmington, Strafford County, N. H., was born August 1, 1851, in Barnstead of this State, a son of Isaac Garland, a native of the same place. On both sides he is of English ances- try, the first progenitor of whom he has knowl- edge being John Garland, an early settler of Barrington, Strafford County. The next in line of descent was John Garland, the second, whose son Isaac, born in Barrington, was the Doctor's grandfather.
Isaac Garland, born October 19, 1802, father of Albert, learned the trade of a wool carder in his early days, and for many years worked at that in summers, while in the winter seasons he taught school, and was a teacher of some note. He subsequently bought a farm in Barnstead, where he resided until his death, December 1, 1884, at the ven- crable age of eighty-two years. He was a man of great intelligence and influence, active
in local matters, and one of the leaders in the Democratic party. He served wisely and well as Selectman for a number of years, and for three terms represented his town in the State legislature at Concord. He married Mary A. Rollins, of Barnstead, who was born November 27, 1812, and died August 24, 1895. They had one child, Albert, the special subject of this sketch.
Dr. Garland also counts among his ancestors one of the heroes of the Revolution, his great- great-grandfather, Timothy Emerson, having been Captain of a company of men during that war. The father of Timothy, still another generation removed, held the following com- mission from the captain-general of the Prov- ince of New Hampshire : --
Samuel Shute Esq. ; Captain General and Gov- ernour in chief, in and over His Majesty's Province of New Hampshire in New Eng- land, and Vice Admiral of the same.
To Captain Samuel Emerson Greeting.
By Virtue of the Power and Authority, in and by His Majesty's Royal Commission to Me Granted, to be Captain General, &c., over this His Majesty's Province of New Hamp- shire aforesaid. I do (by these Presents, ) Re- poseing especial trust and confidence, in your Loyalty, Courage and good Conduct, Consti- tute and Appoint you the said Sam' Emerson to be Capt. of a foot Company of the north side of Oyster river in Dover in ye regment whereof Richd Waldron Esq is Colonel. You are therefore carefully and diligently, to discharge the Duty of a Captain in Leading and Ordering and Exercising, said Company in Arms, both Inferior Officers and Soldiers, and to keep them in good Order and Disci- pline, hereby commanding them to Obey you, as their Captain and yourself to observe and follow such Orders and Instructions, as you shall from time to time receive from Me, or the Commander in Chief for the time being, or other your Superior Officers, for His Maj- esty's Service, according to Military Rules
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and Discipline; Pursuant to the Trust reposed in you
Given under my Hand and Seal at Ports- mouth the twelfth day of May in the fourth Year of His Majesty King George His Reign. Annoque Domini 1718 By His Excellency's Command SAMT. SHUTE. RICHP WALDRON, Clercon.
William Babb, another great-great-grand- father of Dr. Garland, served in the Revolu- tionary War as Lieutenant of a company of men from Barrington, N. H. His son, Richard Babb, was impressed into his majesty's ser- vice ; but he refused to act, claiming exemption on the grounds of his rights as an American citizen, and was confined in Dartmoor Prison, England. He succeeded in proving his claim, and was liberated, but died on the very day on which he was to have sailed for America.
Albert Garland received his early education in the common schools of Barnstead and the Austin Academy of Strafford. At the age of eighteen he began working at the shoemaker's trade, but a year later gave that up, and, going to Lawrence, Mass., was engaged in the cloth- ing business for a year. He then turned his attention to the study of dentistry, for which he had a natural taste, and entered the office of Dr. D. T. Porter, of that city. He con- tinued with him three years, obtaining a practical knowledge and experience of his pro- fession. Soon afterward he opened an office at South Berwick, Me., where he remained a year; and he was subsequently settled in Rochester for four years. In 1879 Dr. Gar- land located in Farmington, where he has built up an extensive and lucrative practice, and obtained a fine reputation for professional skill as a dentist.
Dr. Garland married, September 15, 1875, Mrs. Sarah E. Cortland, of Rochester, who
lived but a short time after marriage. On December 6, 1878, he married Miss Laura E. Cates, of Rochester, and they have three chil- dren, namely : Eva Maud, born October 6, 1880; Effie Mary, born March 20, 1882; and Albert Raymond, born March 16, 1884.
Since coming to Farmington Dr. Garland has been actively identified with the best interests of the town. For two years he filled the office of Selectman, and for the past four years he has been a member and is now Chairman of the Board of Education. He is also one of the Directors of the Public Library. He was a member of the New Hampshire National Guards for three years, serving as Lieutenant in Company F, Second Regiment. He be- longs to the New Hampshire Dental Society and to the North-eastern Dental Society of New England.
He is a member of Humane Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and of the Royal Arch Chapter; also of Fraternal Chapter, Eastern Star; of the Chocorua Tribe of Red Men of Farmington, in which he has held all the chairs; and of the Lodge of the Daughters of Pocahontas. He is a member of the Congregational Society of Farmington, and attends that church regu- larly with his family.
R EV. ELISHA HARRIS WRIGHT, pastor of the Christian churches at Hill Village and Hill Centre, and now residing in Sanbornton, was born in Fos- ter, R. I., October 22, 1835, son of Benjamin, Jr., and Lucy (Wells) Wright. Ile is a lineal descendant of one of the earliest Colo- nial settlers of New England. Henry Wright, the pioneer of the family in this country, came to Dorchester, Mass., about 1634, where he settled and became a member of the First Church. In 1643 he moved to Providence,
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R. I., obtaining one of the original home lots by purchase from John Throkmorton, He probably lost his life in King Philip's War. He was a sturdy man of strong religious prin- ciples and a follower of Roger Williams, whose nearest neighbor he was in Providence from 1643 to 1676. ITis son Samuel, born in Dorchester, February 14, 1637, died in Provi- dence, R. I., February 26, 1716. Benjamin Wright, son of Samuel, died at Smithfield, R. I., April 22, 1754. The Christian name of his wife was Lydia. Their son, Zephaniah, born in Providence, R. I., September 6, 1727, married October 20, 1754, and died October 13, 1788. He was a farmer, and followed his occupation at different times in Western Rhode Island and in Connecticut. The next in line of descent was Benjamin, grandfather of the Rev. Elisha H. Wright, who was born in Scituate, R.I., April 6, 1770, and died October 22, 1858. He was a farmer, and lived the greater part of his life in Foster, R. I. He married Deborah Tripp, daughter of Benjamin Tripp, of Foster, September 29, 1799, and they had twelve children, as fol- Jows : Laton, William W., Esther, Sarah, Benjamin, Clara, Elisha, Gardner, Seth, Albin, Olive, and James.
Benjamin Wright, Jr., was born January 4, 1807, at Foster, R.I. He was educated in the public schools, and after his marriage bought a farm in that town, where he lived during the rest of his life. For many years he had charge of a saw-mill, and gave most of his time to its management. In his early days he was a Democrat, but about the time of the breaking out of the war he joined the Repub- lican party. He was very prominent in the section of the country around Foster, and was held in universal esteem. By his wife, Lucy Wells Wright, he had the following named children : James M. ; Elisha Harris, the sub-
ject of this sketch; Albert Henry; the Rev. Otis O., an Episcopal clergyman of Sandy Hook, Conn. ; Wheaton; Allen; and Asahel J., of Hartford.
The Rev. Elisha H. Wright received his early education in the public schools of Foster and in Smithville Seminary, North Scituate, R. I. Later he pursued a course of study in language with a private instructor. In 1860, at Liberty Hill, in the town of Lebanon, Conn., he was ordained as pastor of the Christian church in that place, and preached there for three years. From there he went to Bristol, R. I. ; but in little more than a year he was obliged to leave on account of the ill health of his wife. He was then in Hampton and in Windham, Conn., and later returned to his first charge at Liberty Hill. In 1870 Mr. Wright came to Hill, N. H. After preaching for two and one-half years, he removed to Manchester, where he remained for four years. At the end of that time he returned to Hill, and, with the exception of about two years, when he was supplying pulpits in other places, he has been there since. He has made his home in Sanbornton since 1876. In politics Mr. Wright is a Republican. He is greatly interested in the temperance movement. He holds a prominent place in the various agri- cultural societies, is a charter member of the Pemguesset Grange, and was its first Master. He has been chaplain of the State Grange, and is P. C. T. of Hill Lodge, No. 51, of Good Templars.
Mr. Wright married for his first wife Amie J., daughter of Daniel Weaver, of Coventry, R. I. ; and three children were born to them -- Lydia A., Daniel R., and Alfred C. His sec- ond wife was Miss Ambrosia R. Morrel, daughter of Folsom Morrel, who married Ro- silla, daughter of Bradbury Morrison, and his wife, Annice Sanborn. Mr. Morrel was one of
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R. I., obtaining one of the original home lots by purchase from John Throkmorton, He probably lost his life in King Philip's War. He was a sturdy man of strong religious prin- ciples and a follower of Roger Williams, whose nearest neighbor he was in Providence from 1643 to 1676. His son Samuel, born in Dorchester, February 14, 1637, died in Provi- dence, R. I., February 26, 1716. Benjamin Wright, son of Samuel, died at Smithfield, R. I., April 22, 1754. The Christian name of his wife was Lydia. Their son, Zephaniah, born in Providence, R. I., September 6, 1727, married October 20, 1754, and died October 13, 1788. He was a farmer, and followed his occupation at different times in Western Rhode Island and in Connecticut. The next in line of descent was Benjamin, grandfather of the Rev. Elisha JI. Wright, who was born in Scituate, R.I., April 6, 1770, and died October 22, 1858. He was a farmer, and lived the greater part of his life in Foster, R. I. Hle married Deborah Tripp, daughter of Benjamin Tripp, of Foster, September 29, 1799, and they had twelve children, as fol- lows : Laton, William W., Esther, Sarah, Benjamin, Clara, Elisha, Gardner, Seth, Albin, Olive, and James.
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